What was the original color of Coca-Cola?

Coke has always been brown. Caramel was originally used for coloring, and though the (secret) formula has changed over the years, caramel, which imparts the brown color we know, is still used to give the cola its appearance.

There is currently an urban legend stating Coca-Cola's color was originally green, and this is incorrect. The company at one time used green bottles, and thus the idea was started. The product has always had its standard brown color.

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

204 Comments

Mary Friedberg

This one is wrong! I remember my grandmother telling me it was green when it was first came out.

MaryAnn Jensen

Well, I put my foot in mouth, I went to Google for some info --- trivia is right !!! The original color was brown when it was invented in 1886 !!!

Peggy Brown

Coca- cola always been brown.just like

Grace Long

It has always been brown aside from what i would consider common sense......i asked my grandmother after reading the comments on here.......and looking it up.....it is and always has been brown

finsfone

I think the question is very clear. It asked about Coca-Cola, the product. Bottles were greenish but the product is brown.

Sean Philips

Mary Friedberg, your grandmother was wrong

Jan Cicchella

I pressed brown twice!

Helen Hobson

Carol Leck Sparby, no it isnt

Helen Hobson

Mark Willis, not deceiving, the question is what was the original color of coca cola

Alix Long

“Cola” comes from the word for chocolate, was drunk as a stimulant like coffe

Carol Leck Sparby

The way the question was worded was deceiving.

Ellen del Valle

Green 👌🏼

Ann Garrett Terry Garrett

The original was brown.

Dee McHose

It was my impression it actually was white/clear when first invented. But, this was not appealing to consumers because it appeared to be more like water instead of a cola. The brown coloring was added very early on and has stuck ever since. It was bottled in green glass containers. I can remember drinking coke from them while a teen.